Epilogue

Disclaimer: All characters and events in this story are fictitious; any resemblance between them and persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. Severus Snape is the intellectual property of J K Rowling.

Snape stepped onto the path, turning his head towards a din of footsteps. Gontermann was running towards him, his face flushed with excitement and exertion.

“Herr Schnar-pay! You must come – Ach, you have one yourself found?” He pointed at the mushroom in Snape’s hand.

Gontermann practically dragged Snape along the path into a broad clearing. The ground was covered with thousands of the brown-and-white fungi, some even clinging to the lower parts of the trees, like the residue from a wave that had crashed onto a beach. Louise Middleton, an Herbologist from the DIMC, was dictating to her quill.

“This basidiomycete is undoubtedly a member of the Anucaudax genus, the first sample recorded since the loss of the last known living specimen of A. castrum in 1928. Unlike A. castrum, the characteristic striae on the basidiocarp are narrower and lighter in colour, samples ranging from – space for colour chart entry – no, don’t put that, you … Anyway. While a detailed assessment of the fungus’ properties will require a further study, initial field results,” she broke off to level an admonitory gaze at a wizard who was sitting against a tree-trunk, a broad, vacant grin on his face, “would seem to suggest that it shares A. castrum’s primary psychotropic component…”

Gontermann clapped his hand on Snape’s shoulder. “An amazing discovery, no? Tomorrow, we will at the conference present a lecture; have you any additions?”

The corners of Snape’s mouth twitched. “No, thank you, Professor. This is not my field of expertise, although today has been very informative. I will be sure to apply my new knowledge most diligently when I return to Hogwarts.” As, indeed, with the assistance of Professor Sinistra, he did. :)

Author's Note: I believe all mycology terms are used correctly.